Definition: He asked life of thee, [and] thou gavest [it] him, [even] length of days for ever and ever.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this beautiful verse from Psalm 21:4. It's a really powerful and evocative statement about the nature of God. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is asking for something – giving life – and then he’s giving that life to him, forever and ever. It suggests a profound and eternal relationship. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “He asked life of thee…” - This means God initiated the request for life. He was actively looking for something that would bring joy and purpose. “[and] thou gavest [it] him…” – This is a crucial part. “Thou” is a formal way of saying "you" in ancient Hebrew, and it emphasizes the action of giving . “Gavest” means "gave." So, God was actively giving life to someone. “[even] length of days for ever and ever.” – This is where it gets really striking. “Length of days for ever and ever” doesn’t mean a literal, unchanging period of time. It speaks to an eternal existence, a limitless duration of that life. It suggests that the life God is giving isn't limited by anything – it goes on forever and always. Overall Meaning & Interpretation: This verse paints a picture of unconditional love and eternal connection. God is offering something truly precious - life – without any conditions or limitations. It’s a declaration of an unending, unbreakable bond between God and humanity. It's often interpreted as: God's everlasting presence: The life he gives is not temporary; it's eternal. A promise of eternity: The verse emphasizes that our relationship with God isn’t limited by time. Divine protection and guardianship: It speaks to a sense of safety and security offered by God. --- Do you want me to: Explain the context of Psalm 21 in more detail? Discuss the meaning within a specific theological tradition (e.g., Christian, Jewish)? Give you another verse from the same passage?